National

Let’s Welcome “Atbalin”

The Philippines is a country blessed with an ecosytem that is rich in biodiversity. Many species are only endemic in our archipelago and one of the most-well known is the Philippine Eagle. Also known as the “Monkey-Eating” eagle, the Philippine eagle is the world’s largest extant bird in terms of length. It has been declared as our country’s national bird. Also called “Haring Ibon” or “king of birds”, the first sighting of the Philippine eagle […]

Philippines May Host 2014 Miss World Pageant

Philippines may become the host of the 2014 Miss World after Miss World Megan Young recommended to Vice President Jejomar Binay the interest of the Miss World organization to hold the pageant in the country this year. This will be the first time that the pageant will be held in the country.

Comedian “Tado”, 2 foreigners among 14 dead in Bontoc bus accident

Comedian-actor Arvin “Tado” and two foreign nationals were among the 14 persons who died when a bus plunged into a ravine Monday morning (February 7) in Bontoc, Mt. Province, police said. Police have confirmed that “Tado” was one of 14 people who died on the spot when a  a Florida bus they were riding in fell into a 100 meter deep ravine along the highway in Sitio Pagang, Barangay Talubin in Bontoc town at around 7:20 […]

Congress backs Aquino’s call for world leaders to oppose China encroachment

MANILA, Feb. 7 (PNA) — Leaders of the House of Representatives expressed their full support to the call made by President Benigno S. Aquino III to various leaders around the world to join the Philippines in opposing China’s encroachment of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “Definitely we are in full support of President Aquino in respect to our claims on the West Philippine Sea. We will defend our rights of course,” said Speaker […]

Senate to file perjury case against Bangayan

The Senate will now file a case of perjury against businessman Davidson Bangayan at the Department of Justice for allegedly lying during a senate investigation on the rice smuggling controversy.  Bangayan maintained that he was not the David Tan who had been earlier tagged as the brains behind rice smuggling syndicate in the country.  His denial came about despite the Senate’s claim of overwhelming evidence against him.  The DOJ has also asked the Department of […]

DOJ’s De Lima confirms Ruby Tuason is now state witness

MANILA, Feb. 7 (PNA) — Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Friday confirmed that Ruby Tuason, one of those charged with plunder in connection with the alleged priority development assistance fund (PDAF misuse, applied for and was granted WPP (witness protection program) coverage to turn state witness in the pork barrel scam cases. Detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the P10-billion pork barrel and the P900- million Malampaya fund scams. […]

MMDA Conducts 2nd Earthquake Survey

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted another earthquake risk survey in Caloocan City, its second of this year after they conducted the same a similar one in Las Piñas City last January. According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, the MMDA also plans to conduct earthquake surveys in other areas. This is the very first government initiative to identify structural deficiencies and to implement corrective measures to minimize the impact of damages caused by earthquakes.

DOJ, 1 of 4 agencies with a “Good” sincerity rating

MANILA, Feb 6 — The Department of Justice (DOJ) was cited as one of four agencies with a net sincerity rating of Good in 2013, according to the latest  Social Weather Survey results presented recently at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City. The Social Weather Station (SWS) 2013 Enterprise Survey on Corruption gave a  +35 score for the DOJ,  a turn-around from the negative 5 (-5) low in 2009 representing a significant 40-point increase. “We welcome […]

Malacañang says it won’t retaliate vs Hong Kong on visa sanctions

MANILA, Feb. 6 (PNA) — Achieving understanding and closure, and not retaliation, will be the guiding principle of the Philippine government in dealing with the sanctions imposed recently by Hong Kong, Malacañang said Thursday. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said suggestions to retaliate for Hong Kong’s revocation of visa-free privileges for holders of official Philippine passports may be counter-productive. “In situations where there is a difference of opinion, what will […]

Aquino queues up at LTO to renew driver’s license

MANILA, Feb. 6 (PNA) — Applicants for driver’s license renewal were surprised to see President Benigno S. Aquino III queuing up at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tayuman St. in Manila Thursday morning. They took the opportunity to greet the President and even posed for souvenir photos with him. President Aquino arrived at the LTO district office at around 10 a.m. to renew his driver’s license two days before his birthday on Saturday. He […]

US guided missile destroyer to arrive in RP

A United States guided missile destroyer is going to arrive in Manila on February 7. According to the US Embassy the port-of-call will highlight the special relationship between the US and Philippine military. Of the ship’s 300 sailors, 10 are Filipino-Americans.